Collapsible frame



Feb. 13, 1951 M. P. SHACKELFORD COLLAPSIBLE FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledOct. 22, 1945 i m, f. w w

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MARSHAL E SHACKEL FORD INVENTOR. OIL/w a M A TTORNE Y5 Patented Feb. 13,1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE FRAME Marshal P.Shackelford, Livingston, Tex.

Application October 22, 1945, Serial No. 623,838

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in collapsible frames or standsand is primarily concerned with a device of the class described that isof special utility in supporting material to be sunned and/or aired asfor example, mattresses or other bedding.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a frame of the classdescribed that is simple and inexpensive to construct and that is soconstructed that it will serve its intended purpose throughout a longperiod of use.

Another object is to provide a frame comprising hinged sections orassemblies, each of which carries retractible legs, the assemblies inturn being adapted to closely overlie each other when folded about thehinges.

Still another object is to provide a frame having retractible legs whichare pivoted to move closely adjacent and overlie one face of certain ofthe principal frame members when retracted and to move and extendoutwardly therefrom when in extended and supporting position.

It is also an object to provide simple and effective means for securingthe legs in either extended or retracted position.

A still further object is to provide a collapsible frame having legreceiving sockets which include substantially vertical surfaces to beengaged by the respective legs when extended whereby a rigid support isprovided.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention and its advantages willbe more fully apparent from the following description which refers tothe accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device;

Fig. 3 is a detail view partly in section showing the construction ofthe leg socket and is taken on line 33 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the device;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the frame when collapsed fortransportation or storage.

The frame embodying the invention as herein described may removablyreceive a flat top so that a table-like structure is provided. However,the invention is primarily concerned with a structure that may receiveand support bedding, mattresses and the like so that the same may beexposed to sunlight and air at an elevation from the ground or othersupporting surface, and in this manner the air can contact and permeatethe article so supported. To this end the invention provides a pair offrame assemblies I and 2, each of which comprises at least an innerlongitudinal beam 3 and an outer longitudinal beam 4 in which arerecessed the end transverse members 5 and intermediate transverse member6, these parts being secured together by any suitable fasteners such asnails or screws.

At the inner ends of at least the end transverse members there areprovided reinforcing strips I which are secured to the adjacent beam andtransverse members whereby such strips rigidify the structure andprovide end surfaces 8 which interengage when the frame is fullyextended. As best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, latch means such as hook 9 andfastener 9 are provided on adjacent members I, it being intended thatthese elements may be interconnected to prevent unintentional movementabout the hinges of the assemblies I and 2 when the frame is in extendedposition.

The upper edges of the strips I also lie in a common plane with theupper edges of the beam members 3 and 4 and hence form a portion of thesupporting surface of the frame. The hinges ID are secured to the netherside of the respective pairs of transverse members so that theassemblies I and 2 may be folded one upon the other as illustrated inFig. 5. When in such folded position a hook I2 on one of the framemembers 4 is engageable with an eye or other fastener I3 to hold theassemblies in folded relation.

An important feature of the invention resides in the manner in which theretractible legs I5 are mounted upon the respective assemblies I and 2so that these legs serve as rigid supports when extended, but lieclosely along the face of the respective beams 4 when the legs areretracted. Spaced from the beams 4 and at each corner of the device is aleg guiding member I6 which is recessed to fit over the underlyingtransverse bar 5. A spacer H of substantially the same thickness as theleg I5 is interposed between the guide member I6 and the beam 4, andthese members are secured together as by means of nails or screws.

A bolt or other suitable pivot means I8 passes through aligned openingsin the beam 4, the leg l5 and the guide member I 6, and desiredtightening thereof maintains a close fitting relation with the sides ofthe legs I5 whereby rigidity against sideward thrusts is provided.

Attention is also directed to the fact that the inner face or end 20 ofthe spacer (Fig. 3) is slightly inclined and lies in a common plane withthe face 2| of a recess 22 in the member 5, and into which the legenters when in extended position. The surfaces 20 and 2| are so orientedrelative to the pivot I8 that intimate engagement of the leg with suchsurfaces is effected as the leg moves to terminal position which is preferably slightly inclined to the vertical so that the legs I5 extendslightly outwardly as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3.

When the leg is in terminal extended position or is fully retracted, anopening 23 therein is in alignment with the opening 24 or 25 in the beam4 so that a locking pin 26 may be inserted to hold the leg in desiredposition.

In describing the operation of the device it will be assumed that it isfolded as illustrated in Fig. 5. The fastener or hook I2 is releasedwhereupon the assemblies l and 2 are swung upon the hinges l0 into acommon plane and secured in such extended position by means of the hooks9. The pins 26 are withdrawn so that the legs [5 can be moved toextended position. As they are moved to such extended positionindividually, the pins 26 are again inserted through the openings 23which are brought into alignment with the openings 24 in the beams 4.The device is then in condition for intended use and it seems apparentthat the frame as thus extended provides a support that is especiallyadaptable for use for the airing of material that may be placed thereon.

While the foregoing description is directed to structural details of thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it is not intended that theinvention shall be confined to such details since it broadly comprehendsa supporting frame of simple construction which may be readily foldedfor transportation or storing thereof. I

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible frame of the class described comprising, a plurality ofspaced beams, a plurality of spaced transverse bars to which said beamsare secured; said bars being paired and hingedly connected together sothat the frame may be swung open with said bars having their uppermostedges lying in a common horizontal plane, spacer blocks attached to saidbeams at spaced points about the frame, and a retractible leg pivoted onthe beam proximate each of said blocks, guide members on said bars tocontact said legs and spacer blocks on sides opposite said beams, saidbars being notched adjacent said spacer blocks so that a notched barsurface 4 aligns with each inside spacer block end surface, said legsbein transversely of substantially rectangular cross-section so thatwhen in extended position the leg width surfaces are confined betweenbeams and guide members while the leg depth surfaces are in contact withthe aligned bar and spacer block surfaces.

2. A collapsible frame of the class described comprising, a plurality ofspaced beams, a plurality of spaced transverse bars to which said beamsare secured, said bars being paired and hingedly connected together sothat the frame may be swung open with said bars having their uppermostedges lying in a common horizontal plane, spacer blocks attached to saidbeams at spaced points about the frame, a retractible leg pivoted on thebeam proximate each of said blocks, guide members on said bars tocontact said legs and spacer blocks on sides opposite said beams, saidbars being notched adjacent said spacer blocks so that a notched barsurface aligns with each inside spacer block end surface, said legsbeing transversely of substantially rectangular cross-section so thatwhen in extended position the leg width surfaces are confined betweenbeams and guide members while the leg depth surfaces are in contact withthe aligned bar and. spacer block surfaces, and means on said frame forlocking each of the legs in extended position.

MARSHAL P. SHACKELFO-RD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 149,569 Brown Apr. 14, 1874270,031 Duncan Jan. 2, 1883 716,393 Downing Dec. 23, 1902 375,195 LoftinDec. 31, 1907 892,422 Hearn July 7, 1908 1,042,020 McCarty Oct. 22, 19121,351,013 Stine Aug. 24, 1920 1,646,175 Thiede Oct. 18, 1924 1,894,176Hirsch Jan. 10, 1933 2,338,789 Wasiewicz et a1. Jan. 11, 1944

